re·form: (r-fôrm)
v. re·formed, re·form·ing, re·forms
v. tr.
1. To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition.
2. To cause (a person) to give up harmful or immoral practices; persuade to adopt a better way of life.
ma·ma or mam·ma also mom·ma: n.
(also m-mä) Informal. Mother.

6.27.2006

Beimng Critical Isn't Always Bad

While I admitted a day or so ago that I struggle with a critical spirit, I will admit that being critical of some things is not a bad thing.

I am critical of teaching I come across. If it cannot be substantiated by Scripture, I won't fall for it.

I am critical of the bahavior of leaders in the church and in society. I want my church leaders to be seeking God and to be walking according to His Word, not following every new trend in church growth that pops up.

I am critical of books in the Christian bookstore. Too often they are filled with worldly psycho-babble instead of the truth of God's Word.

I think that most of the time my critical spirit in these areas has been a good thing. Sometimes I say too much and that can be a bad thing.

Okay... so why am I tlaking about this? Rick Warren.

I know, I know... all of Christendom loves this man and thinks he is a genious, blah blah blah. He very well may be a genious, but I am thinking that only applies to the area of gaining fame, NOT to thoroughly exegeting Scriptures.

When my own church did the Purpose Driven Life a few years ago, I found the book hokey and I felt like the book was a feel-good attempt at getting people interested in CHURCH, not at getting people interested in glorifying God. Folks, we can play church all day long. We can do VBS and cake sales and "revivals" (that's a joke) all we want, but if we are not seeking to bring glory to God almighty, then we are wasting our time.

I went along and did the study though. Maybe I was missing something. My friends at church told me that they liked the study because it attracted those who were not in a deep relationship with God. I could sort of see that, but the book and Rick Warren didn't sit well with me still.

Fast forward a few years to now and I read that Rick Warren spoke at a synagogue about how to apply the principles in PDL to the synagogue. Not once did he mention Christ in his whole speech. When asked about that, he said that it was not his job to convert Jews. (I'm paraphrasing). Here's a link to the article.

Well now, it's not anybody's job except for God's to convret anyone, but it IS our job to proclaim Christ. Scripture says that if Christ is lifted up, HE will draw men to Himself. So my thought is that either Rick Warren had a bad day and was out to lunch or he is reall yin this gig for the money and the fame. I suppose he really could be misled enough to think that he's doing the right thing by not proclaiming Christ to the Jews, butI doubt it.

We, as Christians, MUST be careful about who we read and who we listen to. Everything must be scrutinized -- using Scripture as the baseline. We SHOULD NOT be encouraging those who teach false things or who do not proclaim Christ. We should be on guard and should be ready to give a solid answer for our faith.

Buying a book and buying into a book because the writer is a Christian pastor or because it's sold in a Christian bookstore does NOT guarantee the book's accuracy.

I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth when our church did the PDL, too. (we actually skipped church the final few weeks of it, think we went somewhere else one Sunday...we really weren't impressed). It's always nice to talk to someone else who felt the same way :)

I agree, a critical spirit can protect you, though it can also be a hard thing. I struggle with it too; I know that part of it is that God has given me a spirit of discernment (I think you have it too) and wonder if, left to our own devices, that becomes a critical spirit?? Just thinking with my fingers right now.